Are you saying dont sign anyone? And just save the money?
Obviously if Marner gets offered sheet and Leafs are unable to match the number will be 10+.

I am looking for creative thinkers here.

What if it becomes clear Marner won’t sign with Toronto? Almost definitely won’t happen but hey that’s what this site is for.
Anyways what about a Marner/EK trade where both get extended? Leafs get their star RD and Sharks get a huge offensive boost

The correct is answer is probably Jensen of Wings. The Leafs have jettison about 7m in cap space next year, assuming that Marleau stays. So the Leafs have 10 m set aside for Marner but don't sign him that Leafs 3m for Jensen or they add money to Kapanen and Johnsson contracts to get longer term deals.
So what team is the team that is going to overpay for Marner....that has cap space and Marner would consider to better value than playing with the Leafs. I can't think of one.
Now in 2020/21 the Leafs might have extra cap space. Marner minus Jensen....that 7m....that's when there is opportunity to spend that Marner money. (plus you have those four first rounders).

The correct is answer is probably Jensen of Wings. The Leafs have jettison about 7m in cap space next year, assuming that Marleau stays. So the Leafs have 10 m set aside for Marner but don't sign him that Leafs 3m for Jensen or they add money to Kapanen and Johnsson contracts to get longer term deals.
So what team is the team that is going to overpay for Marner....that has cap space and Marner would consider to better value than playing with the Leafs. I can't think of one.
Now in 2020/21 the Leafs might have extra cap space. Marner minus Jensen....that 7m....that's when there is opportunity to spend that Marner money. (plus you have those four first rounders).

It also depends on what team offer sheets him. Some teams could add Mariner and still be a season or two from the playoffs and now you have a lottery pick or two.

It also depends on that team offer sheets him. Some teams could add Mariner and still be a season or two from the playoffs and now you have a lottery pick or two.

That's exactly right. How many playoff teams have 11m in cap space next year? IMO the Leafs don't have to match an offer sheet (unless it a real overpay). Marner, a Toronto boy, drafted by the Leafs has to know the life time benefits of being a Leaf especially one that could be a Cup winner. To me it's hard to believe he would sign for another team for even 2m more a year than the Leafs top offer. Look at the how good players on average and to good Leafs teams have achieved god life status with the Leafs, with financial benefits .....Salming, Sittler, Clark, Gilmour, Sundin. Never mind the benefits reaped by Cup winners like Baun, Armstrong, Kelly, Mahovolich had for the past 50 years.

That's exactly right. How many playoff teams have 11m in cap space next year? IMO the Leafs don't have to match an offer sheet (unless it a real overpay). Marner, a Toronto boy, drafted by the Leafs has to know the life time benefits of being a Leaf especially one that could be a Cup winner. To me it's hard to believe he would sign for another team for even 2m more a year than the Leafs top offer. Look at the how good players on average and to good Leafs teams have achieved god life status with the Leafs, with financial benefits .....Salming, Sittler, Clark, Gilmour, Sundin. Never mind the benefits reaped by Cup winners like Baun, Armstrong, Kelly, Mahovolich had for the past 50 years.

Personally I would pick Stone on the high end due to his 2-way ability as mentioned. He's lead the league in takeaways the last couple of seasons. That would only benefit the leafs more on their defensive game. That to go along with his ability to score and age, puts Stone at the top of my list.

After him, I would even chance Skinner. He is a pure goal scorer who can play either wing. As mentioned before, our LW is in need of a boost as it's really only Johansson with a scorers touch.

In saying all of this, if the Leafs have some idea that Marner will hold out and become stubborn u less receiving a big pay out and absolutely will not budge, I would look into the South Eastern teams like Florida, etc. Without tax, they could potentially sign Marner to a friendly deal for them and he would still make more money. They are supposedly going after Panarin, so perhaps they could reach a deal and trade with the leafs. As to what that would consist of, well that I am not sure. Just an idea to bounce around.

Personally I would pick Stone on the high end due to his 2-way ability as mentioned. He's lead the league in takeaways the last couple of seasons. That would only benefit the leafs more on their defensive game. That to go along with his ability to score and age, puts Stone at the top of my list.

After him, I would even chance Skinner. He is a pure goal scorer who can play either wing. As mentioned before, our LW is in need of a boost as it's really only Johansson with a scorers touch.

In saying all of this, if the Leafs have some idea that Marner will hold out and become stubborn u less receiving a big pay out and absolutely will not budge, I would look into the South Eastern teams like Florida, etc. Without tax, they could potentially sign Marner to a friendly deal for them and he would still make more money. They are supposedly going after Panarin, so perhaps they could reach a deal and trade with the leafs. As to what that would consist of, well that I am not sure. Just an idea to bounce around.

Quoting: JimCarrey

IF Marner get offersheeted AND he agrees to it AND the leafs don't match it...

Its a very strong UFA class. If you couldn't get Stone or Panarin, I would take the picks and sign a replacement winger and a Dman

-Ferland and Stralman- would be my choices. Also could look at resigning Gardiner or Myers for d and Lee, Nyguist, Eberle, Dzingel for wingers

All of these players will already be signed by the time a signed offersheet comes in.